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Sunday Email: Issue 142

Welcome to your regular Sunday Email.

Doug
07785 223707
Quiz Night at The Angel
It’s a mystery why so few villagers join in the weekly quiz on a Sunday evening. It’s a really good night with a lot of fun and some lighthearted banter with the quiz master! It’s held in The Angel and starts at 8pm. It would be great to see some new faces, so please come along to test your general knowledge and enjoy yourselves. The Angel really make us welcome even offering a bottle of wine for a monthly draw.
The Flying Oysters
The North East’s best rock and pop band will be performing at the Village Hall on Saturday 22 April. Tickets are £12, which includes a hot supper, and they’re on sale now from Doug Allan (07785 223707) or Topcliffe Post Office.
Services at St Columba’s

  • TODAY – 15 January at 10.45am – Choral Matins.
  • 22 January at 10.45am – Holy Communion.
  • 29 January – No service (5th Sunday).
Asenby Parish Council
Unfortunately, there has been no interest from members of the Asenby community in filling the two vacancies. The date for nominations past last Monday and no names were put forward. This leaves the three remaining councillors to run the Parish Council. Last week’s planned Parish Council meeting had to be cancelled as one of those three councillors was ill and couldn’t attend, meaning the meeting was not quorate. That problem is likely to repeat itself, making it very difficult to run the council smoothly and efficiently.

Harrogate Borough Council will determine if and when another advertisement for parish nominations will be placed. Until then the three remaining councillors will do their best to manage village business. In the meantime, if any eligible resident is interested in being co-opted (rather than elected) to the Parish Council, please get in touch with the Acting Parish Clerk, Peter Palmer 01845 578057.
Topcliffe & Asenby Community Warm-Up
Warm-Up lunches take place at the Village Hall on Wednesdays between 11.30am and 1.30pm.

Last week 43 meals were served and £170 was raised of which £50 was donated to the Thirsk branch of the British Legion, with the remainder going into the Community Warm Up fund.

If you can donate any prepared food or ingredients or would like to help in some way, please get in touch with Karen Morley on 01845 577426 or Linda Carver on 01845 578014.
Knit and Natter
The Knit & Natter group meets every Thursday at 1.30pm in the TV lounge at The Angel. The cost for refreshments remains at £3 and everyone is welcome to attend, whether for a knit, just for a natter or both!
Sad end for Asenby Institute
No Asenby residents attended the Special General Meeting of Asenby Institute last Wednesday (11 January) so this fundraising community organisation has now effectively closed down. Former committee members Fred and Siobhan Gifford will continue to act as signatories on the bank account until the money held has been dispersed in line with the Institute’s constitution.
Slow Cooker workshop
Preparing meals and other food using a slow cooker can save money and energy! And in these times of financial and energy crisis, any savings that can be made are bound to be welcomed by households. So it doesn’t seem so strange to hear that North Yorkshire County Council’s ‘Stronger Communities’ unit is organising workshops to demonstrate how slow cookers can be used to cook a variety of food, from bread to cakes and from stews to puddings.

But unfortunately, there can only be three events in each area of the county and the demo planned locally in Thirsk on Thursday 26 January is 100 per cent over-subscribed. The Stronger Communities unit has been asked if it will stage a slow cooker event in Topcliffe and it has agreed to keep the village in mind if extra funding can be found to organise more demonstrations.
Neighbourhood Watch
There isn’t an active Neighbourhood Watch scheme operating in either Topcliffe or Asenby though there are stickers on some properties warning off potential burglars. In the past, a few residents did act as Neighbourhood Watch volunteers but enthusiasm for being involved fell away.

Because I never entirely cancelled my involvement, I continue to receive occasional newsletters from the Neighbourhood Watch and starting today I intend to include them in the Sunday Email so that those who have an interest in protecting their own property and watching out for their neighbours, can get the latest information and advice.

This edition covers articles on the new government emergency alerts system, some advice on preventing burglary, how to protect yourself and friends from romance fraud, understanding how to ‘secure by design’, how to avoid Amazon scams, and how to find a trusted locksmith.

The January newsletter can be viewed here – https://www.ourwatch.org.uk/sites/default/files/documents/2023-01/Jan%202023%20OUR%20NEWS.pdf
Village Hall Meeting
The next meeting of the Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall Committee will be at 7.30pm on Tuesday 17 January.
Artisan Market
The next market featuring independent producers providing locally-produced arts, crafts, food and drink, will be held on Thirsk market Square on Sunday 22 January between 10am and 3pm. http://www.littlebirdmade.com.
Charity panto: Aladdin
It’s too late to get to see a festive panto. Oh no it isn’t! There’s still time to get tickets for this hilarious pantomime performed by the award winning Northallerton Variety Company. All the favourites are back to give you great entertainment…and it’s all for charity. It’s on at The Forum in Northallerton from Sunday 22 to Saturday 28 January (except Wednesday 25th) at 7.15pm. Plus matinees on Sunday 22 and Saturday 28 January at 2.15pm. Tickets are £9 to
£11 from http://www.forumnorthallerton.org.uk
Textile recycling
There’ll be a Bags 2 School textile recycling event between 8.30am and 12 noon on Monday 23 January at the Village Hall. If you have trouble storing the bags, contact Donna Fleming (07591 438766) or Doug Allan (07785 223707) and they will try to make arrangements for storage until the collection day. The proceeds of the event will be shared between the Village Hall and 1st Topcliffe Scouts.

Here’s a reminder of the items that are welcomed: men’s, ladies and children’s clothing – paired shoes (tied together or elastic band around) – handbags – hats – bags – scarves and ties – jewelry – lingerie – socks – belts – soft toys – household linen – household curtains – household towels – household bedding (bed sheets, pillow-cases and duvet covers).

The following items can’t be accepted: duvets and blankets, pillows and cushions, carpets, rugs and mats (including bath, shower and toilet mats), soiled, painted, ripped or wet clothing, school uniforms, corporate clothing and workwear or textile off cuts or yarns.
Chip ‘n Dales
The Chip ‘n Dales fish and chip van will be back in Topcliffe on at 5pm on Friday 27 January.
Jack Bowater as Ed Sheeran
The amazing Jack Bowater performs Ed Sheeran’s classic hits in this concert at Easingwold’s Galtres Centre on Friday 27 January at 7.30pm. Performing on the trademark Martin acoustic guitar, Jack matches Ed stride for stride in vocal ability, guitar playing and stage presence. Tickets £15 from:
http://www.galtrescentre.org.uk/events/ed-sheeran-by-jack-bowater/
Big Garden Birdwatch
The 2023 Big Garden Birdwatch takes place over the weekend 27 – 29 January. Taking part in the count helps the RSPB build a vital snapshot of how garden birds are doing in the UK. You can register for the count and get access to some useful information, including a picture chart, about birds you are likely to encounter by going to https://www.rspb.org.uk/get-involved/activities/birdwatch/

It’s easy! Simply count the birds you see from your garden, balcony or local park for an hour, then go online to tell the RSPB what you saw. You can watch from inside with a cuppa or wrap up warm and sit quietly with the birds outside.

So, if you’ve made a resolution to take more action for nature this year, Birdwatch is a great way to start.
The Repair Cafe
The next repair cafe will be held on Saturday 28 January between 10am and 1pm at Thirsk Community Library on Chapel Street. It’s a chance to get items such as small appliances, computers, toys, tools and clothes repaired. It’s much better to try and give things a new life rather than bin them.
Craft Fair in Topcliffe
On Sunday 29 January, Independent Thirsk Traders are holding their first craft fair of the year at Topcliffe and Asenby Village Hall. It will be on from 10am until 3pm, with an absolutely fantastic array of crafts created by some amazing, friendly and very talented people. There’ll also be a tombola and hot drinks will be available.

Independent Thirsk Traders is a trading group holding craft fairs throughout the year. Most of its traders hand craft their individual creations which include jewellery, cards, cushions, bags, crystals, pictures, sweet hampers, wood turned clocks, floral display pieces and many more. They are all local people bringing their talents to share with others in villages around Thirsk.
Art classes at the Village Hall
There’s a number of one-off art classes planned at the Village Hall:

  • Saturday 28 January – 10.30am to 1pm – Painting on Fabric – Just bring your fabric item – denim jacket, purse, bag, baseball boots, cushion cover, table runner or other item.
  • Thursday 30 March – 10.30am to 1pm – Spring Flowers and Garden Birds painted in oils.
  • Thursday 27 April – 10.30am to 1pm – Escape to the Sea – paint a seascape in oils.

These art class are for artists of every level of experience…or none! Expert guidance is offered throughout the sessions. Equipment and paint provided. Refreshments included. Price £25/£28. More information and online booking at http://www.rebeccajayneartist.co.uk
Topcliffe Parish Council
The next meeting of Topcliffe Parish Council will be held in the Village Hall at 7pm on Thursday 2 February.
Thirsk Brick Show
Here’s news of a great day out for children and families who have an interest in building with Lego. The show will be held between 10am and 4pm at Thirsk Town Hall on Saturday 11 February. More details can be seen on the poster here.
The RItz Cinema, Thirsk

  • To Thursday 19 January – (No matinees) – Avatar: The Way of Water.
  • Friday 20 to Thursday 26 January (on matinee Wednesday 25 January) – I Wanna Dance With Somebody.
  • Friday 27 January to Thursday 2 February (matinee on Wednesday 1 February) – Tom Hanks is ‘A Man Called Otto‘.
  • Friday 3 to Thursday 9 February (matinee on Wednesday 8 February) – Empire of Light.
  • Matinees only on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 February – Matilda – The Musical (Singalong version).

Prices: Adult – £6, concession – £5 (14 and under, over 60s and matinees).
Opening times: evenings – doors open 7pm for 7.30pm. Matinees doors open 2pm for 2.30pm.
Updates: Please check the cinema website for the latest information – https://www.ritzcinema.co.uk/
Deer Shed Festival 2023
The date of this year’s festivalhas been announced. It’s to be held from Friday 28 to Monday 31 July.
Local traders

A list of local traders in Topcliffe and Asenby can be viewed here.
Bin Collections
Hambleton (Topcliffe):

  • Refuse – Mondays 16 and 30 January
  • Recycling – Thursday 26 January.
  • Subscriptions for the 2023/24 garden waste service will be available March 2023. There is still no indication of the price that will be charged from 1 April 2023.

Harrogate (Asenby):
That’s all for this week. Keep safe and remain well.